Italian

Benvenuti a tutti! Italian at King Edward’s is a language option in Year 9.

This beginner’s course gives learners a feel for the sounds and flow of the language, develops competence in grammar, and introduces vocabulary for everyday topics. Following a successful first year, students can continue their study of Italian to GCSE. Whilst a challenging course, it is an excellent opportunity for keen linguists who wish to build on their knowledge of languages and Latin.

Italian is taught in a communicative and engaging way, with the language being used for instruction and communication as far as is practicable. The course is topic based, but equally focuses on excellent grammar acquisition and skill development, and all students are encouraged to participate actively. An awareness of tradition and culture of the country is also fostered.

Head of Italian, Mrs Rugge-Price, shares more information about studying Italian at King Edward VI School.

Year 9

In Year 9, students will study the following topics:

Description of self and others, home and family
Making comparisons, food and health, daily life
Free time and hobbies, daily routine, future plans

Italian is an option for students in the Year 9. Students will be introduced to the language following a framework based loosely on Gianfranco Conti’s instructional approach known as EPI (Extensive Processing Instruction). We will cover the basics of the language, with students learning how to ask and answer questions leading to short conversations in Italian, using excellent pronunciation and understanding the grammar.

Students will have regular speaking sessions with our native speaking assistant, providing the perfect opportunity to practise what has been taught in class.

Year 10

In Year 10, students will study the following topics:

Relationships with family and friends, Home and town, Neighbourhood, Region, My studies
Free time activities, Healthy and unhealthy living, Social issues, Life at school and college
Customs and Festivals, Travel and Transport

In the Upper School students will study for the AQA GCSE in Italian using a number of different resources. The course develops a set of transferable skills for understanding and communicating in everyday situations in Italian. Students will also develop cultural awareness of countries and communities where Italian is spoken and acquire linguistic skills for progression to further studies.

Students will have regular speaking sessions with our native speaking assistant, providing the perfect opportunity to practise what has been taught in class.

Year 11

In Year 11, students will study the following topics:

Town, Countryside, Directions, Shopping, Clothes, Marriage and Partnerships, Social Media and Mobile Technology, Charity, Voluntary work and Poverty
Music, Cinema, TV and Reading, Unhealthy living, Education post-16, The Environment, Jobs and Careers
Exam

Enrichment Opportunities

Clubs and Societies

Throughout the week, Year 11 students can attend drop-in sessions during lunchtimes to further practise and improve their language, with these becoming more intensive as we approach the speaking examination.

Trips

Italian and Art trip - We run a residential trip for Year 9 and Year 10 Italian students studying Italian, and Year 10 artists, during February half term. We alternate between visits to Florence and Milan, with Florence being our next destination in 2024.